Birth Records

Birth records begin at the year 1880. Certified copies are $20 and only available to entitled parties:

Parents

Children

Spouses

Grandparents

Siblings

Individuals requesting a birth record must prove entitlement by showing proper identification. County registrars may only issue copies of birth events that occurred in their county.

Vital Records Not Authorized for County Registrars

County registrars are not authorized by law to have records of:

Single-parent births prior to July 1, 1995

Adoptions

Delayed registrations

Legal changes of name

Any record ordered sealed by a court of law

Telephone Information Release Prohibited

Per Iowa law, information about a specific record is not available over the telephone or by prepared lists. Iowa law provides for public viewing in the county where the record is maintained, or certified copies issued to entitled persons.

Birth Records from 1921 - 1941

Death Records

Death records begin at the year 1880. Certified copies are $20 and only available to entitled parties:

Parents

Children

Spouses

Siblings

Grandparents

Funeral homes

Individuals requesting a death record must prove entitlement by showing proper identification. County registrars may only issue copies of birth and death events that occurred in their county.

Telephone Information Release Prohibited

Per Iowa law, information about a specific record is not available over the telephone or by prepared lists. Iowa law provides for public viewing in the county where the record is maintained, or certified copies issued to entitled persons.

Death Records Between 1921 - 1941

Marriage Records

Marriage records begin at the year 1839. Certified copies cost $20 and are only available to entitled parties:

Person named on record

Parents

Children

Spouses

Siblings

Grandparents

Individuals requesting a marriage record must prove entitlement by showing proper identification. Marriage records are maintained in the county where the license to marry was obtained.

Telephone Information Release Prohibited

Per Iowa law, information about a specific record is not available over the telephone or by prepared lists. Iowa law provides for public viewing in the county where the record is maintained, or certified copies issued to entitled persons.

State Certified Copies

Certified copies of birth, death, or marriage certificates may be obtained from the Iowa Bureau of Health Statistics by telephone, in person, or through a postal service. Fees are payable in United States funds by check or money order to the Iowa Department of Public Health. In person requests may also be paid in cash. Genealogy requests take at least 60 days.

Telephone

For general information, or to order a certified copy by telephone using a credit card, call 866-809-0290 from 6 a.m. - 7 p.m., Monday - Friday, except for state-observed holidays. Cost is $33. Turnaround time is 10 - 14 days, depending on seasonal demands and mail service.

Genealogy requests are not available through the credit card line.

In Person

Applications may be made in person at the state Bureau of Health Statistics 7 a.m. - 5 p.m., Monday - Friday, except for state-observed holidays, at the Bureau of Health Statistics inside the Lucas State Office Building on the 1st Floor, just inside the north lobby entrance. The Lucas building is just east of the state Capitol and south of Grand Avenue, located at:
321 E 12th Street
Des Moines, Iowa 50319-0075

Applicants must provide current government-issued photo identification and sign their request in the presence of registrar staff. Copies may either be picked up after two working days or mailed to an entitled person.

Genealogy requests take at least 60 days.

United States Postal Service

The request must be signed in front of a notary public and include a clear photocopy of the applicant's current government-issued photo identification. Requests must state the relationship to the person named on the record and the purpose for the copy. Filled requests take 30 - 45 days, depending on seasonal demands and mail service.